The Best Online MSW Programs

Summary of work: More than 92 hours of research. Every online Master of Social Work program in the US analyzed. 36 industry experts, hiring managers, current students, and alumni consulted. 45 of the best programs identified

While there are different types of social work, most agree that a social worker’s primary responsibility is advocacy. Professionals advocate for people including families and children in need of financial assistance, students facing bullying, and patients dealing with illnesses or addiction. Given the importance of their roles, many social workers consider pursuing a master’s degree to get specialized training in specific areas of the industry. Doing so, helps them move beyond the general grey areas of social work to better help those facing distinct challenges.

Students in a master’s program can choose from a variety of specializations — clinical social work, family services, or school counseling are only a few examples. No matter your choice, students also receive the latest training in communication, hands-on experience in their desired professional setting, and even advice for processing the emotional challenges of the industry. In short, programs ensure students are prepared to help people confront and surpass emerging hardships.

ARE ONLINE MSW PROGRAMS ACCREDITED?

Yes. The Council on Social Work Education is the only trustworthy accrediting body for Master of Social Work programs.

HOW LONG DOES AN MSW ONLINE TAKE TO COMPLETE?

The amount of time varies by school, but most can be completed in 2 to 4 years. Some schools offer Advanced Standing programs that can be completed in one year.

CAN YOU GET YOUR MSW ONLINE?

Yes, many programs offer a Master of Social Work online. The key is to find a program that suits your particular scheduling needs and to verify if the school has any proximity restrictions for admission.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO APPLY TO AN ONLINE MSW PROGRAM?

Common requirements include a bachelor’s degree, completed coursework in liberal arts or social sciences, and at least one year of field experience. Students should check the specific application requirements for the schools they want to attend.

In addition, the world of social work is continuing to evolve. New positions and professionals are needed to face the challenges and financial hardships of modern society. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that demand for social workers is growing at a rate of 16%, which is faster than the national average. More than ever, degree holders have the unique opportunity to positively influence the lives of others whether they are people in need or other social workers looking for their specialized calling.

For more more resources and career information related to this degree, please read our career guide here.

Best Online MSW Programs

We took a deep-dive and analyzed every online Master of Social Work program in the nation. Below are the results of our analysis and a list of the Top 45 online MSW programs.

Columbia University is a member of the Ivy League and has a prestigious faculty who educates students for leadership careers in the Master of Social Work program. The school's renowned faculty educates students in the field of social work and prepares them for careers at every local, state, federal and global level.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Masters in Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Advanced Clinical Practice, Social Enterprise AdministrationAccrediting Body: CSWE

USC offers a master's in social work program for full- and part-time students with experience in family counseling, mental health and other fields. This program is ideal for those who plan to become licensed clinical social workers thanks in part to its CSWE accreditation and in-depth curriculum.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth, and Families; Social Change and InnovationAccrediting Body: CSWE

Ohio State University's online master's in social work program is ideal for busy students on the go. The coursework is delivered asynchronously and accessible wherever there's an internet connection, giving students the ability to work from their smartphones, laptops or tablets while also being able to engage in live classroom sessions no matter where they reside.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Mental Health and Substance Misuse; Child and Youth ServicesAccrediting Body: CSWE

The University of North Carolina's Master of Social Work program prepares students for agency-based practice after graduation. With this concentration, students learn several core principals and gain more than a thousand hours of field experience to prepare them for a role in various local, state and federal agencies.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

DeliveryFormat: Hybrid, On-campus

Program requirementsPrerequisites: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college or university, or its international equivalentCredit Requirements: 62 creditsField Education Requirements: 16 hours per week

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is known for producing award-winning alumni with 23 Pulitzer Prize winners and 11 Nobel laureates in its 150-year history. Students who enroll in the Master of Social Work degree program gain vital experience and knowledge to guide them toward a successful career.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Advanced Clinical (Hybrid only), Leadership and Social ChangeAccrediting Body: NCACS, THLC

The Tulane School of Social Work prepares students to engage in integrated clinical and community practice. Tulane's faculty prepares future leaders to engage in culturally responsive, evidenced informed practice and community engagement using a local/global perspective relationship centered framework that enables them to contribute to the transformation of individuals, families, and communities.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social Work Program Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Certificates: Disaster and Collective Trauma; Mental Health, Addictions and the FamilyAccrediting Body: CSWE

DeliveryFormat: Online

Program requirementsPrerequisites: Traditional: Bachelor's degree 3.0 GPA, Advanced Standing: Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program with at least a 3.3 GPA in the last 5 yearsCredit Requirements: Traditional: 60 credits; Advanced Standing: 44 creditsField Education Requirements: 948 hours

Michigan State University's MSW program includes two paths for students to hone their skills for career advancement: clinical social work and organization and community leadership. Whether students prefer to work with families or organizations, the social work program offers unique concentrations to accommodate distance learners and their career goals.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Clinical Social Work, Organization and Community LeadershipAccrediting Body: Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Program requirementsPrerequisites: Traditional: Bachelor's degree, Advanced Standing: Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.Residency Requirements: Students must live in Michigan or within 50 miles of the Michigan border throughout the duration of the programCredit Requirements: Traditional: 57 credits, Advanced Standing: 38 creditsField Education Requirements: Traditional: 960 hours, Advanced Standing: 600 hours

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville offers an online Master of Social Work degree program with an Organizational Leadership concentration. Students who enroll in this program receive education in a variety of subjects such as motivational interviewing and go on to work as social work leaders for major organizations.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Science in Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

IU offers an online Master of Social Work degree program for students who want to become clinicians and to help families, groups and individuals. The university's professors have field experience as clinicians and assist every student along the way to becoming future clinicians in their communities.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

Boston University's professors excel in preparing students for careers in macro-level social work. The online Master of Social Work degree program has a concentration in macro practice and readies students for roles as policy advocates and organizational leaders.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social Work (MSW)Available Concentrations: Clinical Practice, Macro PracticeAccrediting Body: CSWE

Virginia Commonwealth University's online Master of Social Work program offers students the flexibility to earn their degree in two to four years. Students can finish the courses entirely online but will have to complete field placements at agencies in Virginia or the Washington, D.C., area.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social Work Program Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: Council on Social Work Education

Case Western Reserve University offers a Master of Science in Social Administration program that equates to a master's in social work. Professionals who want to advance their careers to administrative roles will develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in their respective organizations.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social SciencesProgram Name: Master of Science in Social Administration Available Concentrations: Community Practice for Social Change; Direct PracticeAccrediting Body: CSWE

Colorado State University offers a three-year, part-time hybrid program for students who are ready to earn their Master of Social Work degree. The hybrid program consists of online coursework with two learning weekends on campus each semester.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

The University of North Dakota provides an advanced standing Master of Social Work degree program for students who have already earned a bachelor's at an accredited school. Advanced standing students only need to complete 500 fieldwork hours to graduate, which is better when compared to other universities that require 800 fieldwork hours or more.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Department of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

Students who enroll in the online Master of Social Work program get the same core experience as on-campus students. The same faculty delivers the online coursework and provides continuous student support every semester.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Direct Practice, Administrative LeadershipAccrediting Body: CSWE

The University of Kansas prepares graduates for successful careers in social work thanks to a generalist foundation level and an advanced level of study. Students develop foundational and advanced skills in social work to work with children, families, individuals, communities and others in their chosen practice.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WelfareProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Clinical PracticeAccrediting Body: Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Baylor University makes it easy for students to get on the right path to a career in social work with two available tracks and phases in the MSW program. With standard and advanced standing tracks available and also generalist and specialist phases, students can customize a program that suits their exact needs for successful social work careers.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Diana R. Garland School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: Council on Social Work Education

Rutgers University's online Master of Social Work program prepares students for successful careers in correctional social work. They learn invaluable skills to perform psychological assessments to determine the level of mental health and stability of inmates.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Clinical Social Work; Management and PolicyAccrediting Body: CSWE

The University of Arkansas offers a full-time-only master's in social work program for students who already hold a bachelor's in social work. This full-time program allows students to complete all the coursework and to graduate in one year.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: J. William Fulbright College of Arts & SciencesProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

DeliveryFormat: Online

Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE accredited programCredit Requirements: 39 credits

The University of Houston's Master of Social Work online program is designed to give students a way to participate in live discussions with each other throughout the entire course. Students can communicate with one another during and after the lessons to help each other succeed in the virtual classroom.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Graduate College of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Clinical Practice, Macro PracticeAccrediting Body: CSWE

Louisiana State University offers its Master of Social Work degree program to distance learners who want to receive the same support as those who attend classes on campus. Students receive an enrollment specialist who helps with everything from registration to financial aid, and each student has unlimited access to resources such as the university's library, career planning and personal advising services.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

Bryn Mawr College works with the students' scheduling and provides numerous options to accommodate their work-school-family obligations. Students can opt for full- or part-time classes and choose to attend online, on campus or a hybrid of the two depending on what's best for them.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Certificate: Clinical Social Work; Community Practice, Policy, and AdvocacyAccrediting Body: CSWE

Fordham University's Master of Social Work degree program includes a concentration in human services. Students who choose this concentration focus on improving the overall quality of a person's life and prepare for management positions in human services organizations.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Graduate School of Social ServiceProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Individuals and Families; Organizations and Community; Evaluation; Policy Practice and AdvocacyAccrediting Body: CSWE

The University of Louisville offers its online students five specializations in the Master of Social Work program: military social work, mental health, gerontology, alcohol and drug concealing and psychosocial oncology. Students may select any one of these specializations to enhance not only their knowledge but also their career path.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Kent School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Science in Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Psychosocial Oncology, Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Military Social Work, GerontologyAccrediting Body: CSWE, SACS

The University of Arkansas offers a Master of Social Work program with an advanced standing option for students with a CSWE-accredited bachelor's degree from another school. The program focuses on evidence-based practice and teaches students the skills to work with individuals and families in more productive and efficient ways.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Summer, Fall: February 1; Spring: November 1 (part-time exclusive)GPA: Advanced Standing applicants must have a 3.5 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate studies in addition to a cummulative 3.0 GPAWork Experience: Volunteer, employment, and other life experiences relevant to the career choice of social work

Temple University's online Master of Social Work program is ranked near the top every year for its faculty, live class sessions and student support. In fact, distance learners have access to many different services to assist with their careers, such as resume preparation and interview coaching, which helps them prepare for face-to-face interviews at future agencies and practices.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Graduate School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Mental Health and TraumaAccrediting Body: CSWE

Florida State University uses Blackboard to educate its students and to train them for future careers through its online Master of Social Work degree program. This master's program focuses heavily on Blackboard, giving students access to their lessons, videos, prerecorded audio, coursework and more all in one convenient and organized place.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

The University of Alabama offers two family-oriented concentrations in its online Master of Social Work program. Students who earn their degree with this concentration work in private- and public practices as child welfare agents and family, marriage and mental health counselors.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Services with Children, Adolescents, and their Families; Services to Adults and their Families; Program and Agency AdministrationAccrediting Body: CSWE

Arizona State University's online Master of Social Work program prepares students for a career in sociology. Students learn how to study society and social behavior and go on to work in research organizations, consulting firms, colleges and more.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Watts College of Public Service and Community SolutionsProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

The University at Buffalo offers a Master of Social Work degree program that integrates trauma-informed care and human rights perspectives into all aspects of the program. Students are not limited to predetermined concentration tracks, but rather have the opportunity to create their own specializations in the advanced portion of their curriculum. The online course lessons are delivered synchronously and asynchronously and educate students in the fundamentals of social work, human rights and diversity and oppression.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

DeliveryFormat: OnlineInstruction Style: Synchronous, Asynchronous

Program requirementsPrerequisites: Traditional: Bachelor's degree in any subject; Advanced Standing: Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program (completed within last 6 years), 3.0 GPA, and B- or higher grade in all social work coursesCredit Requirements: Traditional: 60 credits; Advanced Standing: 35 creditsField Education Requirements: Traditional: 900 hours; Advanced Standing: 480 hours

Temple University's online Master of Social Work program offers a concentration in clinical practice with an emphasis on treatment interventions for both individuals and families. Though students complete the coursework online, they perform fieldwork to enhance their skills for when they enter the field as professionals.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Public HealthProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups; Macro Practice with Organizations, Communities & Policy ArenasAccrediting Body: CSWE

The University of South Florida provides students with the opportunity to earn two degrees at once: a master's degree in social work and a master's degree in public health. Students can earn both degrees through online coursework and improve their skills for a career in community-, agency- or organization-based practices.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social Work Accrediting Body: CSWE, SACS

DeliveryFormat: OnlineInstruction Style: Synchronous

Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited programCredit Requirements: 35 creditsField Education Requirements: 600 hours

Boise State University's Master of Social Work program is designed to be flexible for students who can't commit to a full-time school schedule. Lessons are delivered asynchronously, allowing students to focus only on one lesson at a time while they balance their life outside of school.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Health SciencesProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

Widener University's online Master of Social Work program has a unique specialization in trauma for students who want to work closely with those who have suffered and still suffer from some form of trauma. During the students' 1,200 internship hours, they learn important concepts and practices on how to provide trauma-informed care for their patients.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Human Service ProfessionsProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Certificate: TraumaAccrediting Body: CSWE

Portland State University offers its online Master of Social Work degree program for students who want to work in their own communities. The program's concentration focuses on community and organizational practice, preparing students for a future career after three years of education.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Practice and Leadership with Communities and Organizations; Health Across the LifespanAccrediting Body: Council on Social Work Education

CSU Northridge offers a two-year Master of Social Work online program with a heavy emphasis on urban family practice. An experienced staff with professional field experience trains students to work with troubled families as well as larger groups within organizations.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Social and Behavioral SciencesProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

DeliveryFormat: OnlineInstruction Style: Synchronous, Asynchronous

Program requirementsPrerequisites: Baccalaureate degree awarded from an accredited college or universityCredit Requirements: 60 unitsField Education Requirements: 16 hours per week

Simmons School of Social Work launched its online Master of Social Work degree program in 2014 and has trained hundreds of students since it opened. Online classes are limited to 15 students and provide live, interactive, self-paced education for a complete learning experience.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Social Sciences, Policy, and PracticeProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Child and Family; Trauma and Interpersonal Violence; Mental Health and Addictions; Health and AgingAccrediting Body: CSWE

Edinboro University's Department of Social Work provides an online Master of Social Work program with a concentration in Family Social Work Practice. Experienced professors in their field prepare students for careers helping families in their local communities.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

Campbellsville University offers the most affordable online Master of Social Work degree program for full- and part-time students. The program costs $559 per credit hour and requires 1,000 hours of fieldwork and 60 total credits before students can graduate.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Carver School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE, SACSCOC

Brescia University's online Master of Social Work program prepares students for roles in community mental health clinics across the country. This program teaches students valuable skills such as how to address complex problems and to use evidence-based research to work with individuals and groups.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Marilyn Younger Conley School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

The University of Central Florida has an online Master of Social Work program with a concentration in child welfare services and offers coursework in psychosocial pathology. The classes are delivered through live interaction and include 1,000 hours of fieldwork, giving students hands-on training for helping children overcome difficulties in their lives.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

The University of Texas at Arlington is a great value in terms of affordability and flexibility for distance learners who want to earn a master's degree in social work online. With an industry-leading faculty and exceptional financial support, students receive a quality education and are prepared for a rewarding career in the field of social work.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Masters of Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Direct Practice with Children and Families, Direct Practice in Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and Direct Practice in AgingAccrediting Body: CSWE

San Jose State University's faculty members are active members in social work and constantly engaged in scholarship and research. Students in the master's in social work program learn from industry expertise and develop skills that translate to successful careers of their own.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Masters of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has a social work curriculum that's designed to prepare students for careers in community action agencies, social service organizations and more. A 500-hour practicum also develops the students skills and knowledge, giving them real-world experience to propel their own careers after college.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Science in Social WorkAvailable Concentrations: Administration and Community Practice, Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families, and GroupsAccrediting Body: CSWE

DeliveryFormat: Online

Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited programCredit Requirements: 33 creditsField Education Requirements: 500 hours

CSU San Bernardino's online Master of Social Work program has a focus in advanced generalization, giving students the skills to work with individuals and families as well as organizations and communities. With this concentration, students have the knowledge and the tools to assume generalist roles as probation officers, human services specialists, rehabilitation case workers and more.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Social WorkProgram Name: Master of Social WorkAccrediting Body: CSWE